Hair Treatment Applicator

ABSTRACT

An applicator ( 10 ) to apply liquid ( 32 ) to hair. The liquid may be a dye or other hair treatment liquid. The applicator ( 10 ) has a handle ( 11 ) that is hollow so as to provide a chamber ( 12 ) to store the liquid ( 32 ). Fixed to the handle ( 11 ) is a stem ( 16 ) having a passage ( 20 ) that receives the liquid, while there is fixed to the stem ( 16 ) an applicator portion ( 23 ) having apertures ( 26 ) communicating with the passage ( 20 ) so the liquid may be delivered by the applicator ( 10 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to relates to hair treatment applicators and in particular to the application head for such applicators for applying hair compositions to the hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Applicators for the application of a fluid to the hair or the scalp of humans and animals are known. Such devices generally comprise a reservoir for the fluid to be dispensed, a head, and a communication with the reservoir. The head can be in the shape of a comb with a number of apertures in the area of the comb teeth or in the teeth themselves. During the combing fluid is forced from the reservoir through the passage and apertures and onto the hair. Examples of such devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,004,371, U.S. Pat. No. 2,062,376, U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,472, U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,243, U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,936, U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,178 and many others. The head of the applicator can also have the shape such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,157 in which the head is constituted of two members hinged together at one end, that hold the strands of hair to which the fluid is to be applied.

Previously known applicators such as those discussed above have a number of disadvantages that may include cost of manufacture, messy and difficulty in respect of use.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein an applicator to apply a liquid to hair, said applicator including:

a handle to be gripped in a user's hand, the handle providing a chamber to receive the liquid to be dispensed by the dispenser;

a stem fixed to the handle so as to extend longitudinally therefrom, the stem having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal passage communicating with said chamber so that in use liquid from the chamber can flow longitudinally of the stem, said stem further including a socket communicating with said passage; and

an applicator portion located in said socket, said portion including a surface over which the hair is to pass and a duct extending from the passage to an aperture in said surface to which the liquid can be delivered, said portion being formed of resilient material so that said aperture is urged to a substantially closed configuration, with said portion when engaged by hair being resiliently deformed to cause the aperture to open to aid in the delivery of the liquid to said surface for the application to hair passing over said surface.

Preferably, said stem is substantially rigid.

Preferably, said handle is substantially rigid.

In an alternative preferred form, said handle is resiliently deformable so that a is user may apply pressure to the liquid in said chamber by resilient deformation of the handle.

In a first preferred form, said portion includes a plurality of teeth extending outwardly with respect to the stein, and said duct is one of a plurality of ducts extending from the passage, and said aperture is one of a plurality of apertures, each aperture being associated with a respective one of the ducts so as to receive the liquid therefrom, the apertures being located between adjacent teeth so that liquid can be delivered to between the teeth.

Preferably, each aperture is a slit, with the slits being oriented generally longitudinally parallel to said axis so as to extend substantially longitudinally of said stem.

In an alternative preferred form each aperture is a slit, with said slits being oriented so as to extend generally transverse relative to said axis so as to extend generally transverse relative to said stem.

Preferably, said slits are between a pair of adjacent teeth.

Preferably, said teeth are a first set of teeth, and said stem includes a second set of teeth extending outwardly relative to said axis in a direction generally opposite said first set of teeth.

In a still further alternative preferred form, said aperture is an elongated slit, with said portion having a longitudinal length and said slit extending a substantial portion of said longitudinal length.

Preferably, said portion is removably located in said socket.

Preferably, adjacent the or each slit there is a slit edge portion projecting from said surface away from said axis, said edge portion being provided to aid in engaging hair to facilitate resilient deformation of said applicator portion to aid in opening the or each slit.

In a further preferred form, the or each slit is located between a pair of edge portions, the edge portions extending from said surface away from said axis and being provided to aid in resiliently deforming said applicator portion to engage the hair to aid in opening the or each slit.

In a still further preferred form, said applicator includes a bar attached to the stem and to extend longitudinally relative thereto and spaced therefrom so as to provide a is gap between which hair may pass to aid in causing hair to pass over said surface.

Preferably, said bar is pivotally attached to said stem for angular movement about an axis generally transverse of the stem.

Preferably, said applicator includes a driven member located in the stem passage, and a motor operatively associated with said driven member and operated by a user to activate said driven member to cause movement of the liquid to the or each aperture.

Preferably, said driven member is a spiral extending along the stem passage and having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the stem longitudinal axis, with said motor being located in said handle and operable to cause rotation of the driven member.

There is further disclosed herein an applicator to apply liquid to hair, said applicator including:

a hollow stem providing a passage to receive said liquid, the stem having a socket communicating with said passage; and

an applicator portion located in said socket, said portion including a surface over which the hair is to pass, an aperture in said surface in liquid communication with said passage so as to receive the liquid therefrom, with said portion being formed of resilient material so that said aperture is urged to a substantially closed position, with said portion when engaged by hair being resiliently deformed to cause the aperture to open to aid in delivery of the liquid to said surface for application to hair passing over said surface.

Preferably, said stem is adapted to be gripped by a user so the user may pass said surface over said hair.

Preferably, said stem is deformable by a user so as to apply pressure to said liquid to cause the liquid to flow to said aperture.

Preferably, said aperture is a first aperture, and said applicator portion has further apertures so as to have a plurality of apertures, with each aperture communicating with said passage.

Preferably, said applicator portion is elongated so as to extend in a direction generally transverse of an intended direction of travel over hair.

Preferably, each aperture is a slit extending generally transverse of the applicator portion.

In an alternative preferred form, each aperture is a slit extending generally is longitudinally of the applicator portion.

Preferably, said applicator portion in transverse cross-section extends from said stem to a longitudinally extending peak.

Preferably, the applicator includes a handle attached to said stem, the handle being hollow so as to receive said liquid for delivery to said stem.

Preferably, said handle is resiliently deformable so that pressure may be applied to said liquid to cause it to flow to said stem.

Preferably, said applicator portion is concave so as to provide a cavity communicating with said passage, with each aperture communicating with said cavity.

Preferably, said applicator portion includes a longitudinally extending ridge within which each aperture is provided.

Preferably, said applicator includes a comb portion fixed to said stem and providing a plurality of teeth extending generally transverse relative to said applicator portion, with the teeth being located relative to said applicator portion so that hair passes between said teeth and over said surface.

Preferably, said surface extends longitudinally relative to said stem and faces away from said stem in a predetermined direction, and said stem has projecting from it a plurality of comb-teeth that extend in a direction away from the stem.

Preferably, said stem has a longitudinal axis, and the direction of said comb-teeth includes a direction component normal to said longitudinal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred fauns of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of an applicator to apply liquid to hair;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation of a modification of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic parts sectioned side elevation of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of an applicator portion employed in the applicator of FIG. 1 or 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation of the portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the portion of FIG. 5 sectioned along the line 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom plan view of the portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the portion as shown in FIG. 6 sectioned along the line 9-9;

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the portion of FIG. 6 sectioned along the line 9-9, being a modification of the section as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic end elevation of the applicator of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the applicator of FIG. 2 sectioned along the line 12-12;

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the applicator sectioned along the line 12-12 of FIG. 2 with the applicator portion removed;

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of a modification of the applicator of FIG. 1, section along the line 12-12, with a heating element added;

FIG. 15 is a schematic side elevation of a modification of the applicator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 are schematic illustrations of use of the applicator of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of a modification of the applicator portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of a still further modification of the applicator portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 19 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the applicator portion of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a schematic bottom plan view of the applicator portion of FIG. 17 and FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a modification of the applicator portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 22 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a modification of the applicator portion of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a modification of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a schematic side elevation of a modification of the applicator portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 25 is a schematic bottom plan view of the applicator portion of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a schematic top plan view of the applicator portion of FIG. 24;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are schematic end elevations of the applicator portion of FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the applicator portion of FIG. 24 sectioned along the line 29-29;

FIG. 30 is a schematic front elevation of a further applicator;

FIG. 31 is a schematic side elevation of the applicator of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a schematic front elevation of a modification of the applicator of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a schematic side elevation of the applicator of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of a modification of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 35 is a schematic side elevation of a further applicator;

FIG. 36 is a schematic parts exploded side elevation of the applicator of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the applicator as shown in FIG. 36 sectioned along the line 37-37;

FIG. 38 is a schematic top plan view of the applicator as shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 39 is a schematic side elevation of the applicator portion of the applicator of FIG. 35;

FIG. 40 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the applicator portion as shown in FIG. 39 sectioned along the line 40-40; and

FIG. 41 is a schematic end elevation of the applicator portion as shown in FIG. 39 sectioned along the line 41-41.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 to 29 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted is an applicator 10 to apply liquid 32 to hair. For example, the liquid 32 may be a dye or other hair treatment liquid. In this embodiment, the applicator 10 includes a handle 11 that is hollow so as to provide a chamber 12 to store the liquid 32 that is to be delivered to the hair. The handle 11 includes a longitudinal side wall 13 which for example may be cylindrical in configuration. In one embodiment the side wall 13 is generally rigid, while in another embodiment the side wall 13 is resiliently deformable so that a user gripping the handle 11 may resiliently deform the wall 13 to apply pressure to the liquid 32 within the chamber 12. The handle 11 has a longitudinal axis 14.

Fixed to an end wall 15 of the handle 11 is a stem 16. The stem 16 is substantially rigid and may be formed integrally with or merely attached to the handle 11. As an example the handle 11 and stem 16 may be integrally fouled from plastics material.

The stem 16 has a longitudinal axis 17, which in this embodiment is aligned with the axis 14. The stem 16 has a plurality of transverse grooves 18.

Extending outwardly from and fixed to the stem 16 is a plurality of teeth 19 spaced so that hair may pass therebetween. In this embodiment the teeth 19 extend generally radially relative to the axis 17 so as to extend away from the stem 16.

The stem 16 is hollow so as to provide a longitudinal passage 20, the passage 20 communicating with the chamber 12 so that the liquid 32 may pass from the chamber 12 and move longitudinally of the stem 16 via the passage 20. The stem 16 has a generally cylindrical longitudinal wall 21 that may be formed integral with the handle 11 or alternatively (as shown in FIG. 4) threadably engaged with the wall 13 so as to be fixed thereto.

The stem 16 is provided with a socket 22 that is in communication with the passage 20. Releasably secured in the socket 22 is an applicator portion 23.

The applicator portion 23 is formed of resilient material (such as natural or synthetic rubber or plastics).

The portion 23 includes a base 24 within which there is formed a plurality of ducts 25. The ducts 25 may be square, rectangular or of any desired transverse cross-section. The ducts 25 extend transversely through the base 24 so as to provide for liquid flow between the passage 20 and apertures 26 formed in the surface. In this embodiment the apertures 26 are narrow elongated slits aligned generally parallel to the axis 17. The base 24 is also formed with a plurality of teeth 27 between which the apertures 26 longitudinally extend.

In a modification of the applicator of FIGS. 1 and 2, the stem 16 may be provided with a longitudinally extending heating element 28, with the handle 11 being provided with a switch via which electric power is delivered to the element 28. Typically a regulating device would govern the operating temperature of the element 28.

In a modification of the applicator of FIGS. 1 and 2, the teeth 19 can be replaced with a bar 29 to aid in retaining the hair against the stem 16 so that liquid may be applied thereto. In this embodiment, the bar 29 has its longitudinal direction of extension along the stem 16, and is preferably pivotably attached to the stem 16 by means of a pivot assembly 30. The spring loaded pivot assembly 30 provides a pivoting axis for the bar 29 that is transverse of the stem 16, that is generally perpendicular to the axis 17. A trigger 31 is fixed to the bar 29 and is engaged by a user's finger to cause angular movement of the bar 29 in the direction of the arrow 32. The assembly 30 urges the bar 29 towards the stem 16. The bar 29 may be electrically heated.

Preferably, the side wall 20 has an aperture 33 via which air may enter the passage 20 and therefore the chamber 12 to aid in equalising pressure within the chamber 12 relative to atmospheric pressure.

In FIG. 17 there is schematically depicted a modification of the applicator portion 23. In this embodiment the base 24 has a surface 34 over which the hair is drawn to apply the liquid thereto. The surface 34 has an elongated aperture in the form of a slot 35 that extends substantially the entire length of the base 24 and is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 17. The slot 35 communicates with a passage 36 that again extends substantially the entire length of the base 24.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the surface 34 is a plurality of apertures in the form of slots 37 that communicate with the passage 36. The slots 37 are aligned so as to extend longitudinally and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 17.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 17 to 20, again the base 24 is formed of resilient material so that the slot 35 or slots 37 are resiliently urged to close, and are moved to an open position by movement of hair across the surface 34.

In FIG. 21 there is schematically depicted a modification of the applicator portion 23. In this embodiment the applicator portion 23 includes edge portions 38 that are in the form of “lips” and are fixed to the surfaces 34 and project therefrom away from the longitudinal axis 14. The edge portions 34 aid in engaging the hair to cause resilient deformation of the insert 34 to open the slot 35 and slots 37. In the embodiment of FIG. 22 two edge portions 38 are provided that are generally parallel and co-extensive and located on opposite sides of the associated slot 37. The edge portions 38 would aid in engaging hair irrespective of the direction of movement of the hair over the surface 34.

In the embodiment of FIG. 22, only a single edge portion 38 is provided for each slit 37.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 21 and 22, the applicator portion 23, in transverse cross-section, is “U” shaped in configuration. It has two generally parallel and co-extensive side walls 39 joined by a transverse base 40 that has the slot 35 or slots 37 and that provides the surface 34. A hollow 41 communicates with the passage 20 so that the liquid is delivered to the slot 35 or slots 37. The walls 34 are received within the socket 22 and frictionally engage the sides thereof to retain the applicator portion 23 secured to the stem 16.

As best seen in FIG. 16, a user grips the handle 11 and causes hair to curl about the stem 16 and then moves the applicator 10 so that hair passes over the surface 34. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the hair also passes between the teeth 27, with the hair being forced to pass about the stem 16 by the teeth 26 and 19 or the bar 29. Hair passing between the teeth 27 engages the applicator portion 23 causing resilient deformation thereof so as to urge the apertures 26 to open. Prior to this the resilient material from which the portion 23 is formed, urges the apertures 26 to a closed configuration.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 23 to 29, the applicator 10 is modified so that included in the handle 11 is a battery operated motor 42 that receives electric power from batteries located in a battery compartment 43. Located in the passage 20 is a driven member 44 which in this embodiment is a spiral screw member 45 that extends angularly about and longitudinally of the axis 17. The driven member 44 is drivingly attached to the motor 42 so that upon rotation of the driven member 44 about the axis 17 the liquid 32 is caused to flow to the apertures 26. In that regard the handle 11 may be provided with Is an aperture 46 that provides for the venting of air to the passage 20. In an alternative embodiment, the passage 46 may be attached to a flexible tube 47 that extends to a reservoir of the liquid 32. Accordingly upon operation of the motor 42, liquid 32 would be drawn from the reservoir (not depicted) and delivered to the passage 20 from where it flows to the apertures 26. Typically the handle 11 would be provided with a button or trigger used by an operator to deliver electric power from the batteries to the motor 42.

In this embodiment the applicator portion 23 is elongated longitudinally in the direction of the axis 17, while each of the apertures 26 is a slit that extends generally transverse of the applicator portion 23, that is generally transverse relative to the axis 17.

In this embodiment the base 24 provides a pair of generally parallel flanges 48 between which there is a slot 49 that engages the wall 21 so that the wall 21 projects into the slot 49.

The surface 34 is provided by a pair of converging sub-surfaces 50 that converge away from the base 24 to a longitudinally extending peak 51.

The apertures 26 communicate with the passage 20 by means of an elongated cavity 52 formed in the base 24.

Again the applicator portion 23 is formed of resilient material so that upon hair engaging one or both of the sub-surfaces 50, the applicator portion 23 resiliently deforms to open the apertures 26 to enable hair to enter and/or for liquid to exit.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 30 and 31 there is schematically depicted an applicator 60 to apply a liquid 61 to hair. The applicator 60 includes a stem 62 that is hollow so as to provide a passage 63 that receives the liquid 61. One end of the stem 62 is provided with a socket 64 that receives an applicator portion 65 that may be identical to any one of the applicator portions 23 previously described. Preferably in this embodiment the applicator portion 65 is identical to the applicator portion 23 of FIGS. 24 to 29. Accordingly it has converging surfaces 50 and apertures 26 in the form of transverse slits that extend generally transverse of the applicator portion 65. As is best seen in FIG. 30, the applicator portion 65 is longitudinally elongated. In accordance with FIG. 25, the applicator portion 65 has a cavity 52 providing for liquid communication between the passage 63 and the apertures 26.

Preferably, the stem 62 is formed of deformable material so that the passage 63 may be deformed and thus reduced in volume to cause liquid 61 to flow along the stem 62 to the apertures 26. Deformation of the stem 62 would be caused by a user gripping the stem 62 and compressing the stem 62. More preferably the stem 62 is formed of resiliently deformable material. Preferably the passage 63 is closed apart from the apertures 26.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 32 and 33, the applicator 60 is provided with a comb member 66 fixed to the stein 62 and providing a plurality of teeth 67 through which hair would be drawn to pass over one or both of the surfaces 50 to cause resilient deformation of the applicator portion 65 and therefore opening of the apertures 26 so that hair may enter the apertures 26 and/or liquid to exit the apertures 26. In this embodiment the user grips the stem 62 to move the applicator 60 along a length of hair. The apertures 26 may extend transverse or parallel to the longitudinal axis 68 of the applicator portion 65.

In the embodiment of FIG. 34, the applicator 70 has a stem 72 including a generally arcuate body 71 having longitudinally extending edge portions 73. Applied to and secured to the edge portion 73 is a flexible resilient applicator portion 74. The applicator portion 74 has longitudinally extending flanges 75 with longitudinally extending slots 76 within which the edge portion 73 are located so that the applicator portion 74 is fixed to the stem 73. Extending from the flanges 73 is an apex portion 77 having sides 78 that converge from the flanges 75 to an apex 79. Typically slits (apertures) would extend from the apex 76, through the applicator portion 74 to communicate with the passage 80 to which the liquid to be applied is delivered. Fixed to or formed integral with the body 71 are teeth 81.

In FIGS. 35 to 39 there is schematically depicted an applicator 90. The applicator 90 is to apply liquid to hair as previously described. The applicator 90 includes a handle 91 that is hollow so as to provide a chamber 92 that stores the liquid to be delivered to the hair. The handle 91 includes a longitudinal extending side wall 93 that would be typically of a cylindrical configuration. In one embodiment the side wall 93 is rigid while in another embodiment the side wall 93 is resiliently deformable so that the liquid contained in the chamber 93 may be caused to pass through the hollow stem 96. The stem 96 is attached to an end wall 95 of the handle 91. The handle 91 and stem 96 have a longitudinal axis 94. The stem is substantially rigid.

Attached to or formed integral with the stem 96 (so as to be attached thereto) is a plurality of comb teeth 97 between which a user's hair may pass.

The stem 96 is hollow so as to have a longitudinally extending passage 98 to which the liquid is delivered from the chamber 92.

The stem 96 has a longitudinally extending aperture 99 defined between longitudinally extending edges 100 of the stem 96. Engaged with the edges 100 so as to close the aperture 99 is an applicator portion 101. The portion 101 is preferably formed of resilient material and is generally concave so as to provide a cavity 102 that receives the liquid from the passage 98.

The applicator portion 101 has an arcuate body 103 from which there extends a peaked longitudinally extending projection 104 with transverse slits 105. The slits 105 communicate with the cavity 102 so that liquid may exit via the slits 105 upon pressure being applied to the portion 101 to cause resilient deformation thereof to at least partly open the slits 105 so that the liquid may pass therethrough.

The end of the stem 96 is closed by a cap 106 to thereby close the extremity of the passage 98.

In use of the above described applicator 90, hair passing over the surface 107 of the portion 101 and through the slits 105 to cause the slits 105 to open to provide s apertures via which the liquid may pass from the passage 98, through the cavity 102 to exit to be applied to the hair. As the portion 101 is formed of resilient material, the slits 105 are urged to a closed position.

The edge portions 100, together with the aperture 99, provide a socket to which the applicator portion 101 is applied.

The portion 104 provides the surface 107 within which the slits 105 are formed. The surface 107 faces away from the stem 96 in the predetermined direction 108. The comb-teeth 97 also project away from the stem 96, preferably having a major direction of extension generally normal to the axis 94.

In respect of the above described preferred embodiments it should be appreciated the applicators 10, 70 and 90 are intended to be moved angularly about their respective longitudinal axis 14, 94 and/or past in a wiping action along a length of hair. More particularly, as is best described with reference to FIG. 16, the hair is moved arcuately about the surface containing the apertures 26, 105. In the embodiments of FIGS. 30 to 33, the applicator 60 is intended to be moved along a length of hair in a wiping action. In doing so a user grips the stem 61. 

1. An applicator to apply a liquid to hair, said applicator including: a handle to be gripped in a user's hand, the handle providing a chamber to receive the liquid to be dispensed by the dispenser; a stem fixed to the handle so as to extend longitudinally therefrom, the stem having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal passage communicating with said chamber so that in use liquid from the chamber can flow longitudinally of the stem, said stem further including a socket communicating with said passage; and an applicator portion located in said socket, said portion including a surface over which the hair is to pass and a duct extending from the passage to an aperture in said surface to which the liquid can be delivered, said portion being formed of resilient material so that said aperture is urged to a substantially closed configuration, with said portion when engaged by hair being resiliently deformed to cause the aperture to open to aid in the delivery of the liquid to said surface for the application to hair passing over said surface.
 2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said stem is substantially rigid.
 3. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said handle is substantially rigid.
 4. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said handle is resiliently deformable so that a user may apply pressure to the liquid in said chamber by resilient deformation of the handle.
 5. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said portion includes a plurality of teeth extending outwardly with respect to the stem, and said duct is one of a plurality of ducts extending from the passage, and said aperture is one of a plurality of apertures, each aperture being associated with a respective one of the ducts so as to receive the liquid therefrom, the apertures being located between adjacent teeth so that liquid can be delivered to between the teeth.
 6. The applicator of claim 5, wherein each aperture is a slit, with the slits being oriented generally longitudinally parallel to said axis so as to extend substantially longitudinally of said stem.
 7. The applicator of claim 5, wherein each aperture is a slit, with said slits being oriented so as to extend generally transverse relative to said axis so as to extend generally transverse relative to said stem.
 8. The applicator of claim 6, wherein said slits are between a pair of adjacent teeth.
 9. The applicator of claim 8, wherein said teeth are a first set of teeth, and said stem includes a second set of teeth extending outwardly relative to said axis in a direction generally opposite said first set of teeth.
 10. The applicator of claim 5, wherein said aperture is an elongated slit, with said portion having a longitudinal length and said slit extending a substantial portion of said longitudinal length.
 11. The applicator of claim 6, wherein adjacent the or each slit there is a slit edge portion projecting from said surface away from said axis, said edge portion being provided to aid in engaging hair to facilitate resilient deformation of said applicator portion to aid in opening the or each slit.
 12. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the or each slit is located between a pair of edge portions, the edge portions extending from said surface away from said axis and being provided to aid in resiliently deforming said applicator portion to engage the hair to aid in opening the or each slit.
 13. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said portion is removably located in said socket.
 14. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said applicator includes a bar attached to the stem and to extend longitudinally relative thereto and spaced therefrom so as to provide a gap between which hair may pass to aid in causing hair to pass over said surface.
 15. The applicator of claim 14, wherein said bar is pivotally attached to said stem for angular movement about an axis generally transverse of the stem.
 16. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said applicator includes a driven member located in the stem passage, and a motor operatively associated with said driven member and operated by a user to activate said driven member to cause movement of the liquid to the or each aperture.
 17. The applicator of claim 16, wherein said driven member is a spiral extending along the stem passage and having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the stem longitudinal axis, with said motor being located in said handle and operable to cause rotation of the driven member.
 18. An applicator to apply liquid to hair, said applicator including: a hollow stem providing a passage to receive said liquid, the stem having a socket communicating with said passage; and an applicator portion located in said socket, said portion including a surface over which the hair is to pass, an aperture in said surface in liquid communication with said passage so as to receive the liquid therefrom, with said portion being formed of resilient material so that said aperture is urged to a substantially closed portion, with said portion when engaged by hair being resiliently deformed to cause the aperture to open to aid in delivery of the liquid to said surface for application to hair passing over said surface.
 19. The applicator of claim 18, wherein said stem is adapted to be gripped by a user so the user may pass said surface over said hair.
 20. The applicator of claim 18, wherein said stem is deformable by a user so as to apply pressure to said liquid to cause the liquid to flow to said aperture.
 21. The applicator of claim 18, wherein said aperture is a first aperture, and said applicator portion has further apertures so as to have a plurality of apertures, with each aperture communicating with said passage.
 22. The applicator of claim 18, wherein said applicator portion is elongated so as to extend in a direction generally transverse of an intended direction of travel over hair.
 23. The applicator of claim 18, wherein each aperture is a slit extending generally transverse of the applicator portion.
 24. The applicator of claim 18, wherein each aperture is a slit extending generally longitudinally of the applicator portion.
 25. The applicator of claim 18, wherein said applicator portion in transverse cross-section extends from said stem to a longitudinally extending peak.
 26. The applicator of claim 18, wherein the applicator includes a handle attached to said stem, the handle being hollow so as to receive said liquid for delivery to said stem.
 27. The applicator of claim 26, wherein said handle is resiliently deformable so that pressure may be applied to said liquid to cause it to flow to said stem.
 28. The applicator of claim 18, wherein said applicator portion is concave so as to provide a cavity communicating with said passage, with each aperture communicating with said cavity.
 29. The applicator of claim 28, wherein said applicator portion includes a longitudinally extending ridge within which each aperture is provided.
 30. The applicator of claim 18, wherein said applicator includes a comb portion fixed to said stem and providing a plurality of teeth extending generally transverse relative to said applicator portion, with the teeth being located relative to said applicator portion so that hair passes between said teeth and over said surface.
 31. The applicator of claim 18, wherein said surface extends longitudinally relative to said stem and faces away from said stem in a predetermined direction, and said stem has projecting from it a plurality of comb-teeth that extend in a direction away from the stem.
 32. The applicator of claim 31, wherein said stem has a longitudinal axis, and the direction of said comb-teeth includes a direction component normal to said longitudinal axis. 